Electric-meter device.



C. D. HASKINS.

ELECTRIC METER DEVICE.

Patented .Ian. 2. I900.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1898.)

(No Model.)

lph/zpl'ru. Caryl D.Haskin8,

NITE STATES ATENT FFICE.

CARYILD. HASKINS, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC-METER DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,196, dated January2, 1900.

Application filed October 26,1898.

T0 00% whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARYL D. HASKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newton, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-MeterDevices, (Case No. 715,) of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to electric meters, and has for its objectto prevent a misuse of such meters, which sometimes occurs. In theoperation of isolated plants it often happens that the maximum load isgreater than the plant can conveniently carry. In this case it iscustomary to call on the usual central-station supply of the city ordistrict for the excess, installing an electric meter, which registersthe amount of current taken from the city-mains. This arrangement,however, permits the ready cancellation of the meter charge by runningthe isolated plant at a little higher potential. during the times ofminimum or no load, so as to return current from the isolated planttothe main, which may be carried to such an extent as to entirely cancelthe meter registration. The effect of this is to borrow energy from thecentral station at the time of maximum demand and to return it at thetime of minimum demand, a practice obviously highly disadvantageous tothe central station, since it takes current at the very time when thegenerators are overloaded and returns it ata time when the load issmall. It is therefore desirable to have some means of preventing themeter from turning backward under any circumstances. Mechanicalappliances have been proposed for this purpose; but they are undesirablefor many reasons. My invention contemplates opening the armature-circuitas a means of preventing the meter registration at such times as may bedesired, for which I a number of methods may be employed. For

continuous currents I have preferred to use a polarizedcircuit-controller. During the normal operation of the meter thecontrolling device, which should be included in series with thefield-coils, holds the armaturecircuit closed, a spring assisting inthis action. If the current in the field is reversed, thecircuit-controller opens the armature-cir- Serial No. 694,645. (Nomodel.)

cuit of the meter. As a variation of this device having substantiallythe same function I may with alternating currents use two coils-one inthe armature-circuit and one in the field-circuit-so wound and connectedas to utilize the mutual action of alternating currents when flowing inone direction to hold the armature-circuit closed and in the other toopen it, as occasion may require. As a substitute for the spring in thislatter case I may keep the circuit of one of the coilsclosed through aresistance, so that it is always prepared to act, as will be more fullydescribed hereinafter. Ordinarily, however, the spring will be all thatis necessary.

The accompanying drawings show in diagram a meter connected according tomy in= vention.

Figure 1 is a device adapted for continuous current, and Fig. 2 amodification for alter nating currents.

A B are the mains, C D being the branch containing the lights N.

M is the generator of the isolated plant, taken as typical of anyinstallation where en ergy may be either consumed or supplied.

E is the counter or register of the meter.

F F are the field-coils, and G is the armature.

R is the usual calibrating resistance in the armature-circuit, which, aswill be seen, is in a shunt-circuit across the mains, starting from thelead C, passing through the armature, across the contacts L, and throughthe resistance to the lead D. The field-coils are of course in serieswith the load.

In series with the fields F is the electromagnet H, consisting of thecore h and the coil h. The armature I is polarized and closes thecontacts L under normal conditions of workingthat is, when the currentflows from the mains. A spring K assists the armature. Ordinarily thecontacts L are closed, and the meter is ready to register whenevercurrent flows to the load from the mains A B, the armature I beingrepelled by the electromagnet H. If the current reverses in the meter,the armature I will be attracted by the magnet and will open thecontacts against the force of the spring K. When current ceases to flowin the wrong direction, the spring will again close the contacts and themeter will be in readiness to operate when energy is taken from themains.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 is particularly adapted toalternating currents, though its use is not restricted thereto. In thisform the connections are as before, except that for the polarized deviceH is sub stituted the coil H, which need not have a core, and a coil 1,connected in series with the armature. The coils are so wound andconnected that the flow of current from the mains A B through the coil Hacts to repel the coil 1, which is carried on the lever L this actionclosing the contact L, so that the armature G is included in thecircuit. When the current reverses, the coil 1 is attracted and opensthe contact L, thus opening the armature-circuit. If desired, thecontact L may also be added, and in this case a spring for the lever Lwill not be necessary. Here the resistance R (which may be quite largein amount) is included in the circuit by the contact L, the armatureremaining cut out. In this case the current flow in the coil 1 will bemaintained, so that when the current again reverses in the coil Hthatis, when energy is again taken from the mains A B-the coil 1' will beready to act and will close the circuit of the armature G.

It is manifest that other arrangements might be made which willaccomplish the object of the invention; but any automatic device bywhich upon the reversal of current flow in the meter a circuit of themeter is so modified that the meter can not be run backward I considerwithin my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. The combination, with an electric meter, of a device for opening acircuit of the meter, responsive to reversal of current operating theelectric meter.

2. The combination with the mains of a distributingsystem,of aconsumption-circuit fed therefrom but capable of returning energythereto, and means whereby such return of energy causes a meter-circuitto be so modified as to prevent the registry of the returned energy. 7

3. In an electric meter, armature and field circuits, and a device foropening the armature-circuit when the current in the field reverses.

4. In an electric meter, the combination of armature and field circuits,with a circuitcontroller in series with the fields and controlling thearmature-circuit.

5. In an electric meter, a coil in series with the fields, a second coilin series with the armature, and contacts for opening and closing thearmature-circuit controlled by the coils.

6. In an alternating-current electric meter, a coil in series with thefields, a second coil mounted for movement relative to the first, andcontacts for opening and closing the armature-circuit, actuated by themovement of the coil.

7. In an alternating-current electric meter, the combination of a coilin series with the load, a second coil mounted for movement relative tothe first and in shunt to the load, contacts actuated by the movement ofthe second coil, and circuits leading from the contacts, one includingthe motor-armature, the other a resistance.

8. The combination with an electric meter, of a coil in series with thefield, and a second coil in series with the armature and in in ductiverelation to the first coil, and contacts controlled by said coilsadapted to cut out the meter-armature upon a reversal of current in thefield, without interfering with the flow of current in either of thesaid coils.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of October,1898.

OARYL D. IIASKINS.

Witnesses:

HAROLD SHREVE, DAVID L. Bownns.

